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American Morning

101-Year-Old Oakdale Mayor Still Going Strong

Aired July 18, 2001 - 09:24   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Our "Look Across America" today focuses on a small Pennsylvania town and boasts a man who may be the world's oldest mayor; 101-year-old June Austin has been Oakdale's chief executive since 1995.

Dave Crawley from our affiliate KDKA has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVE CRAWLEY, KDKA-TV REPORTER (voice-over): The little town of Oakdale, west of Pittsburgh, is a place that appreciates the tried and true.

(on camera): The borough of Oakdale was founded in 1893. That's 108 years -- 7 years older than the mayor.

JUNE AUSTIN, MAYOR OF OAKDALE: When I first come to Oakdale, well, there was just two boards for sidewalks for to keep you out of the mud.

CRAWLEY (voice-over): June Austin was 36 when he moved his family to Oakdale in 1936. He was 94 when he began his first term as mayor.

AUSTIN: Very seldom ever any trouble. Maybe somebody's dog will be running loose and they'll call the police about the dog tearing up their flower bed. That's about the only worst thing.

CRAWLEY: Though he doesn't face the headaches of big city counterparts, Mayor Austin has earned the respect of those who work with him.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He amazes me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But most of all, he's brought us a real touch of class because he is such a gentleman.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On behalf of the Railroad Retirement Board, I'd like to present you this letter signed by the board members.

CRAWLEY: The former railroad conductor is remembered even though he retired from the Pennsylvania Railroad 35 years ago.

AUSTIN: I've lived like my father told me: You treat everybody like you want them to treat you, and I've did that. And I never drank a drop of beer, wine or whisky in my life.

CRAWLEY: The teetotaling mayor will step down when his term is up in December, but he may have one more honor coming if the Borough Council has its way.

HUCK GAMBLE, COUNCIL PRESIDENT: We introduce him as the oldest and most distinguished mayor in America, and no one has ever challenged us. So to make it official, we are now making application to "Guinness Book of World Records."

AUSTIN: I always salute this flag when I -- when I pass it.

CRAWLEY: Saluting the oldest mayor in KD country, I'm Dave Crawley.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: Great story there. That's going to be our "Look Across America" this morning.

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